Equality and diversity
Irish in Britain are committed to challenging and seeking to prevent unequal and discriminatory treatment across British society. We have worked closely with the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) in the past, and continue to build a similar relationship with their successor, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
The frequency with which Irish data is ignored or rendered invisible in documents and data sets drawn up to inform public policy means that this absence has to be raised with alarming frequency in our policy and representational work. For instance, bodies with which we have had to raise this issue with recently include the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP), the Greater London Authority (GLA), and even the Department of Health (DH) itself.
RAISING THE PROFILE OF INEQUALITIES IN THE IRISH COMMUNITY
Our policy work also seeks to raise the profile of Irish inequalities, one of the most visible aspects of which exists in the area of
healthOur development team seeks to strengthen the capacity of our affiliates to raise such issues at a local level; and we seek to build partnerships with organisations with an inclusive approach to reducing inequalities.
SUPPORTING MEMBERS TO UNDERSTAND THE EQUALITIES ACT
We also support our members to understand and fulfil the requirements of the Equality Act (and any future amendments of the Act). This involves helping them put in place systems and procedures which seek to ensure that, with regard to (a) recruitment and retention of staff and (b) delivery of services no person shall suffer prejudicial or discriminatory treatment.